
Gorgeous summertime event offers discounts for visitors who come wearing kimono.
Tokyo Tower may no longer be the city’s highest structure (that honor now goes to the Skytree), but it still maintains its status as one of the best places to get a view of the capital. Particularly for those wishing to gaze out over the nighttime skyline, Tokyo Tower is a popular destination, thanks to its central location and the undeniable romantic atmosphere stemming from its appearance in countless movie, TV drama, and anime love stories.
And to make summer nights even more ethereally beautiful, Tokyo Tower is currently holding its Milky Way Illumination event, in which 197,000 LEDs bathe the facility and visitors in a cool blue glow nightly until 11 p.m.
The most dynamic concentration can be found on the 150-meter (492-foot) high observation floor, where river of stars has been added to the ceiling. Careful observers might notice two non-blue points in the mix, though, a red light representing Vega and a white light for Altair, the pair of stars that symbolize the Cowher and Weaver’s Daughter who meet but once a year in the festival known as Tanabata,
For those looking to enjoy a cool breeze along with the cool color scheme, the 600-step exterior staircase will also be decorated for the Milky Way Illumination.
Of course, nothing says summertime cool in Japan like wearing a yukata, or summer kimono. Visitors to Tokyo Tower between July 5 and 7 will receive 100 yen off admission (US$0.90) to the observation floor, which is usually priced at 900 yen for adults.
While the discounts are only offered for a very limited time, the Milky Way Illumination will be going on until September 3.
Related: Tokyo Tower
Source, images: Tokyo Tower
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter for more ways Japan, summer, and the color blue are awesome.




Tokyo Tower celebrates Tanabata with a beautiful case of the summertime blues
This Tokyo kimono and Tokyo Tower-view cafe experience will keep you cool in more ways than one
Tokyo Tower lights up beautifully in Star-Spangled Banner style for President Obama
Tokyo Tower reopens after coronavirus closure, but now you have to take the stairs 150 meters up
Super blue blood moon appears over Tokyo, poses with Skytree, other landmarks for beautiful pics
Rakuten randomly offers 58 New Year’s osechi feasts in Japan, but did we get a star or a dud?
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
First Kit Kat Chocolatery shop with cafe opens in Kyoto! New Chocolatery items released too
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Will whiskey aged in space taste smoother? Suntory is set to experiment this month
Japanese Joe Biden tries the Biden Burger in Japan
Find out how lucky you’ll be in the Year of the Dog with this witty online fortune teller
New Studio Ghibli exhibition brings anime movie magic to cities around Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
10 of our absolute favorite places to spend a day in Tokyo
Beautiful new Tokyo hotel gives you the best of both worlds with hot spring bath in the big city
Leave a Reply